MCPS Archives - Page 166 of 278

MCPS: Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) is Reopening Waitlist Applications For 2023-2024

Published June 21, 2023 at 7:40AM

The Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) application is reopening for families interested in placing their child on the waitlist. The primary focus of the MVA is to foster a safe, inclusive online learning environment that meets the individual needs of all students. The waitlist application period will run from June 26–July 28. Students on the waitlist will be considered for Semester 1 enrollment based on space availability. Interested families can submit an application on ParentVUE.

The Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) is part of the continuum of digital learning opportunities offered to students and part of the choice programs in MCPS. The primary focus of the MVA is to foster a safe, inclusive online learning environment that meets the individual needs of all students in an academic setting where staff know their students’ interests, and want to see them excel as learners. The program includes the following highlights:

The 20 Largest Public High Schools in Maryland (By Enrollment)

By MCS Staff

Published June 19, 2023 at 9:19PM | Updated June 20, 2023 at 12:50PM

There are 182 public high schools in Maryland with an approximate average of 1,030 students per school. All of the 20 largest schools when it comes to enrollment have at least double the average. Full list below using data following the 2021-2022 school year (Montgomery County high schools in bold):

20. Duval High School (Prince George’s County): 2,206 students

Three MCPS Middle Schools Named Winner of MCDOT’s “Paint the Plow” Contest to Celebrate Public Works Week

By MCS Staff

Published June 19, 2023 at 9:49AM

Leading up to Public Works Week, eleven Montgomery County middle schools participated in the “Paint the Plow” contest to celebrate the many contributions made by public works employees that keep the County running.

The snowplow entries were showcased during MCDOT’s family-friendly ‘Truck Day’ event that was held on Saturday, May 20. The free event had more than 1,000 attendees who were invited to vote for their favorite snowplow design. The decorated plows will be part of the MCDOT fleet that will be clearing snow from streets this winter. The middle school winners selected were (pictured below):

Three MCPS Students Earn $55K Scholarships From Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

By MCS Staff

Published June 18, 2023 at 3:02PM

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation announced earlier this school year that three graduating high school seniors from Montgomery County will receive the Cooke College Scholarship. This year’s recipients will receive up to $55,000 annually to cover the costs of their undergraduate education, as they go on to attend the nation’s top colleges and universities next fall. The winners from Montgomery County are:

The Cooke College Scholarship Program seeks to help high-achieving students with financial need earn a college degree. In addition to substantial financial support, Scholars also receive ongoing academic coaching and advising, graduate school and career advising, and access to a network of thriving and motivated peers in the Cooke Scholar community. Scholars will also receive opportunities for internships, study abroad, and access to graduate school funding.

A Message from Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight: Celebrating the End of a Great School Year!

By Patrick Herron

Published June 16, 2023 at 4:49PM

As we say goodbye to this school year, I am filled with gratitude and pride for all that we have accomplished, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for our amazing school community. Here is my video message to the community on this, the last day of the 2022-2023 school year.

Springbrook High School Students Get Career Day Visit from Salesforce Execs

By MCS Staff

Published June 16, 2023 at 12:22PM

Representatives from Salesforce, a cloud-based software company headquartered in San Francisco, visited Springbrook High School on June 9 in a career day presentation.

The Salesforce executives, which included engineers, account managers and sales leaders, talked with about 300 students in 9th through 12th grades. Students asked questions about work/life balance, networking, the e-commerce business and how executives landed positions with the company.

Stone Mill Elementary School Safety Patrols Honored for Heroism and Leadership

By MCS Staff

Published June 16, 2023 at 7:41AM

Two fifth grade students serving as safety patrols at Stone Mill Elementary School in North Potomac have been recognized by AAA Mid-Atlantic for their efforts to help a classmate who fell from a second story banister during dismissal earlier this year.

The students, Matina Naum and Alex Rossoshek, were at their safety patrol posts by a stairwell in the school. During dismissal, a fellow student fell from a banister to the cement floor two stories below. The girls remained calm, cleared the stairwell, navigated students away and got immediate adult help. Despite their emotions and their friendship with the boy, they were able to answer many questions from emergency personnel.

11 MCPS Students Honored for Completing Apprenticeship Maryland Program

By MCS Staff

Published June 16, 2023 at 7:35AM

Eleven graduating seniors who completed apprenticeship programs within MCPS were awarded certificates and cords during a ceremony last month. Representatives with the Maryland Department of Labor presented students with the Apprenticeship Maryland program certificates and cords for graduation. The students and the programs they completed were:

Apprenticeship Maryland is a youth apprenticeship program for students, ages 16 and up, that is designed to lead to sustainable employment and further education based on a student’s selected career. This program was developed in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Maryland Department of Labor (MDoL).

Sherwood Student, Connor Pugh, Recognized For Producing and Distributing Kits For Students Recently Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes

By MCS Staff

Published June 16, 2023 at 7:27AM | Updated June 17, 2023 at 4:20PM

Sherwood High School rising senior Conor Pugh was recognized by county health officials and MCPS for his efforts to produce and distribute diabetes kits for students recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2020, Pugh has packaged tools, including glucose tablets, an insulin cooler, a medical ID bracelet, water bottle, pocket calculator and needle disposal container for storing used needles into a kit to help students adjust to a diabetes diagnosis. He put the kits together as part of his Eagle Scout service project.

MCPS Has Joined National Lawsuit Against TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook/Instagram, YouTube

By MCS Staff

Published June 15, 2023 at 7:19PM

The Frantz Law Group has announced that the Montgomery County Public School District (MCPS) joined 500 school districts nationwide in a lawsuit filed in Federal District Court in San Francisco against Meta, TikTok, Snap, YouTube, and other social media companies. In the lawsuit the plaintiff school districts allege that these companies are knowingly causing emotional harm to children through their platforms.

Per Frantz Law Group: With over 160,550 students in 210 schools, the Montgomery County Public School District is the largest school district in the state of Maryland. The lawsuit alleges that various social media companies have caused a mental and emotional health crisis marked by higher proportions of anxiety, depression, thoughts of self-harm, body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behaviors, and low self-esteem among children and students. Many are further subjected to often harmful, exploitative and addictive content that encourages disorderly behavior, unhealthy social comparison, and cyberbullying. This litigation seeks to provide the funding and staffing resources needed to mitigate the damage that school districts are currently encountering.

MCPS School Counseling Policy Open for Comment Through Sept. 4

By MCS Staff

Published June 15, 2023 at 7:17AM

The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking comments on proposed amendments to Board Policy IJA, School Counseling Programs and Services, to help the public understand the programs, services and professionals responding to the social-emotional and mental health needs of students.

The policy will be available for comment through Monday, Sept. 4. It has been available for comment since April 26, 2023. The draft amendments propose—